Foundation sets goal for tower construction

EAST COUNTY — From the shoreline at Nathan Benderson Park, Sarasota officials hope to erect a structure that one day soon will become an international symbol within the sports tourism industry.

Board members of the Nathan Benderson Park Foundation, the entity responsible for raising funds for planned park improvements and its longterm maintenance, hopes to start construction on a $5 million finish tower within the next 60 days.

“That’s kind of the centerpiece of the park,” Foundation board member and former Sarasota County Commission Joe Barbetta said of the finish tower. “It’s a pretty comprehensive building. It’s pretty iconic.”

The structure, when finished, will house SANCA’s offices, as well as meeting spaces, rooms for referees, a press box and other features.

“It’s the linchpin of the whole park,” Barbetta said. “It shows everything is coming together nicely.”

The foundation, an entity separate from Sarasota County and from the agency that runs the park’s day-to-day operations, Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center Associates (SANCA), has committed to have finished before hosting the World Rowing Championships in September 2017, as has SANCA. Construction can begin once permitting is completed.

The tower’s architecture is similar to that planned for a boathouse for which the foundation is still raising money. 

In total, the foundation seeks to raise $22 million for future park improvements, including jumbotrons, an amphitheater for concerts, a children’s play area, the boathouse and more. It has requested $11 million from the state. 

Barbetta said the foundation also seeks to raise enough money to create an endowment to cover the park’s operational expenses longterm.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].